Foes-turned-allies-turned-foes and currently the sworn-enemies - National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are manifesting idiosyncrasies of politics in J&K.Settled on two opposite poles of a power pivot, amusingly they are accusing each other of “punishing the electorate who voted for them in 2024 assembly elections.”

Peculiarity of the situation lies in the fact that both are holding power drawn through an electoral mandate. BJP rules at the Centre and NC, riding on a massive mandate, wears the crown in J&K.Given its (J&K’s) UT status, BJP is in a position to pull the strings in J&K as well. But at the same time, it is the main opposition party here in J&K.And here lies the catch!

NC is alleging that the BJP (at Centre) is delaying the restoration of statehood to punish J&K electorate who have voted it (NC) to power.J&K BJP is accusing NC of punishing the Jammu electorate by depriving them of basic amenities as they’ve massively voted for it (BJP). It is this “full-circle” phenomenon, which is causing unease in both the camps (NC and J&K BJP).Notwithstanding its “mainstreaming”, J&K politics continues to enjoy a unique status with its intrinsic eccentricities - has always been a catchphrase in the corridors of power.Post 2024 assembly polls, it is unfolding in an amusing format after both the parties have become directly accountable to their respective electorate.Almost 18-months after the election, both the parties- sharing the lion’s share in terms of assembly seats- are able to clearly see public discontentment and hear grumbling of their electorate on almost all accounts.But both the parties are finding their “hands tied behind their back in J&K” – an assertion becoming unpalatable for their respective electorate, craving for basic amenities and which are not reaching them.Intriguingly, both (NC and BJP) have thought of a similar formula – protest and agitation = to build pressure on each other to get their grievances redressed.

In the recent past, while batting for immediate restoration of statehood, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has repeatedly made such accusations.“BJP is backtracking from its promise of restoring statehood. In an........

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